Rangers: James Easdale resigns from board with immediate effect

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James Easdale, pictured with brother Sandy. (Source: Getty)

Rangers non-executive director James Easdale has resigned from the Ibrox board with immediate effect, a club statement informed the stock exchange this morning.

Easdale, whose brother Sandy still sits on the board, has stepped down just over a week before the group holds its extraordinary general meeting that could lead to the current incumbents being ousted.

The EGM was proposed by shareholder Dave King who is trying to wrest control of the crisis-hit club from the current directors. A vote will be taken on replacing chairman David Somers, Sandy Easdale, chief executive Derek Llambias and finance director Barry Leach.

Both Easdale brothers are unpopular figures among Rangers fans. Last year James' house was vandalised with graffiti reading "Get out" while Sandy was forced to call in police over death threats earlier this month.

According to the BBC, Easdale believes he does not have "the fans' support to help the club go forward".

Easdale owns 572,749 shares in Rangers, around 0.7 per cent of the club, while brother Sandy has control of around 20 per cent of club shares.

A full statement from the financially-troubled club read:

He leaves Rangers having never received any remuneration, bonus or compromise payment during his time at the club. He would like to thank all the fans and shareholders who supported him and wishes the club a speedy return to the top flight of Scottish football and beyond.